collocation · formal
impose a sentence
UK/ɪmˈpəʊz ə ˈsɛntəns/US/ɪmˈpoʊz ə ˈsɛntəns/im·POSE a SEN·tence
for a judge to officially give a punishment to someone found guilty
Examples
“The judge imposed a five-year sentence for fraud.”
“Courts may impose a heavier sentence for repeat offenders.”
“It is up to the judge to impose a sentence after conviction.”
Band 8 sentence
“Following deliberation, the court imposed a custodial sentence of seven years due to the severity of the offence.”
Collocations
- impose a harsh sentence
- impose a custodial sentence
Word family
Common mistakes
give a sentence→impose a sentence / hand down a sentence
apply a sentence→impose a sentence
Say it for a higher band
5give a punishment→6hand down a sentence→7+impose a sentence
Synonyms
hand down a sentence
Easily confused
serve a sentence
“After conviction, the defendant began to serve his sentence immediately.”
Related words
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